By Bailey McGuinn
A cloudburst sent people running for cover in Morristown. But a couple of miles down the road, brilliant sunshine bathed a big crowd at the 34th annual Giralda Music & Arts Festival.
They enjoyed show tunes and classical favorites from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra–which added a surprise tribute to The Boss, Bruce Springsteen–along with a picnic contest, art vendors, kiddie activities and a vintage ice cream truck, on the rolling lawn of Giralda Farms on the Madison/Chatham border.
“It was terrific fun,” said Morris Arts Executive Director Tom Werder. He estimated the crowd at around 2,400, the largest in recent years, at the benefit for the nonprofit arts organization.
Slideshow photos by Jeff Sovelove and Kevin Coughlin
“People love coming together to enjoy the arts. It’s a great opportunity to mix before hearing a symphony orchestra, with a picnic in a park, where you can enjoy being with 2,000 of your best friends,” Werder said.
One attendee won nearly $2,500 in a 50-50 raffle that supported Morris Arts’ Coladarci Arts Scholarship, awarded annually to a Morris County high school graduate who desires to pursue an arts education.
“This year we are showcasing over 40 artists, which is an addition we made to make the event more of a festival,” said Kadie Dempsey, director of creative placemaking for Morris Arts, and the event’s planner for the past 17 years.
“It used to be just the symphony, and now we’ve added hula hoop performers, a food truck, and an ice cream truck in the hopes of creating a festival environment. We’ve also added a writer’s tent, and we’re very happy with how this has all turned out. This is always a great, affordable family event, and this year we really have a record crowd.”
The Montclair Art Museum had a stand, where children were welcome to make musical instrument crafts that actually worked.
“We wanted to do something related to music” said Peg Kenselaar from the Yard School of Art.
“We created this project, where they can make custom crafts– inventing their own instruments out of rubber bands and cardboard, put a fret in, and it will really make a sound. They can design it creatively, and decorate it, and we hoped to give them that full experience. It’s about shape, color, texture, and promoting a love of music.”
The picnic contest, with its dozens of participants, offered prizes such as tickets to the Bickford Theatre, Craft Morristown, the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum and the Mayo Performing Arts Center.
“We’ve participated in this nearly every year” said Kay Kribs, creator of the Hula Baloo in Honolulu picnic, adorned with whole pineapples, leis, silk orchids, shrimp, and even spam to honor Hawaiian culture. “It’s always a delight– great fun and great music!”
“We come every year,” said Dog Days of Summer picnic creator Sue Thompson. Her stand was decorated with plastic dogs, dog cupcakes, and bone-shaped treats. “It’s a great way to start the summer.”
Slideshow photos by Jeff Sovelove:
Led by guest conductor Sameer Patel, the New Jersey Symphony, performed selections from The Music Man, Oklahoma!, Rodeo, Chicago and Beauty and the Beast, as well as patriotic favorites like The Star Spangled Banner, Fanfare for the Common Man, Liberty Fanfare, the Armed Forces Salute, and, to close the evening, Stars and Stripes Forever.
The Springsteen medley–Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Rosalita, Born in the USA and Born to Run–was a birthday gift to NJSO CEO Susan Stucker.
Werder said it was the first time the NJSO has tried the arrangement outdoors. It won’t be the last time, if the rousing response from the audience has anything to say about it.
Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.
The Lakeland Youth Orchestra performs Mozart at Giralda 2017; video by Jeff Sovelove
